Criminal Investigation Techniques

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary purpose of a pretrial meeting?

To discuss the admissibility of evidence

To manufacture evidence to fill in for any missing elements

To prepare for a successful prosecution (correct)

To identify potential weaknesses in the case

What should you do before a pretrial meeting?

Identify potential weaknesses in the case

Thoroughly review all available case documentation (correct)

Enhance facts to fill in for any missing elements

Discuss the case with only your supervisor

What should you do during a pretrial meeting?

Discuss only the strengths of the case

Refuse to provide details on the case

Remain truthful, honest, and accurate when discussing the case (correct)

Manufacture evidence to support the facts

What should you be prepared to discuss during a pretrial meeting?

Who, what, when, where, how, and why facts of the case Signup and view all the answers

What should you do if you identify potential weaknesses in the case?

Help the prosecutor effectively deal with known problems Signup and view all the answers

What is your continuing obligation as an officer?

To keep the prosecutor informed of any developments in the case Signup and view all the answers

What should you consider when preparing for a pretrial meeting?

All issues that could affect a successful prosecution Signup and view all the answers

What should you do if you identify any special issues or situations in the case?

Know the case well enough to identify any special issues or situations Signup and view all the answers

Why should you separate the victims, complainants, and witnesses at a crime scene?

To keep them from discussing the incident with each other Signup and view all the answers

What should you do with vital witnesses at a crime scene?

Ask them to stay at the scene for interviewing Signup and view all the answers

What should you do if the judge sustains the objection?

Do not answer the question Signup and view all the answers

What information should you document about the people involved in the crime?

Their names, dates of birth, genders, races, addresses, and telephone numbers Signup and view all the answers

What type of question requires you to make a decision on an issue?

Question that calls for someone to make a conclusion Signup and view all the answers

Why should you ask the victim or complainant to name potential witnesses?

To identify people who were present during the crime or event Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of an irrelevant question?

Officer, are you married? Signup and view all the answers

What should you do if you are asked an objectionable question?

Pause to give the state attorney time to object Signup and view all the answers

What is a possible controlled area to separate witnesses?

Inside a patrol car Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to separate witnesses who experienced the same event?

Because they will never recall the same details Signup and view all the answers

What is a tactic used by a defense attorney to discredit you?

Giving the impression that you are inept, unreliable, or lacking in confidence Signup and view all the answers

What should you do if separate rooms are not available to isolate witnesses?

Isolate people within one large room by placing them on opposite sides of the room with their backs to each other Signup and view all the answers

How should you respond to a confrontational or badgering defense attorney?

Convey professionalism, knowledge, and confidence Signup and view all the answers

What is the goal of a defense attorney's tactic of asking the same question multiple times?

To affect your logic and calmness and reveal your temperament Signup and view all the answers

What should you tell witnesses not to do after separating them?

Not to talk to each other or discuss the incident with anyone Signup and view all the answers

What should you do if you are unsure about how to respond to a question?

Pause to give the state attorney time to object Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of filler photographs in a photo array?

To complete the array with people similar to the suspect Signup and view all the answers

What is the ideal characteristic of a lineup administrator?

Being independent of the investigation Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of using an automated computer program to administer a photo lineup?

To prevent the lineup administrator from seeing the lineup until after the procedure is complete Signup and view all the answers

What should the lineup administrator do when presenting the photographs to the witness?

Not see or track which photograph the witness is viewing until after the procedure is complete Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of using randomly numbered, shuffled folders in a photo lineup?

To prevent the lineup administrator from seeing which photos correspond to specific folders Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to have an independent lineup administrator?

To prevent the lineup administrator from influencing the witness's decision Signup and view all the answers

What should the lineup administrator avoid doing during the lineup procedure?

Seeing or tracking which photograph the witness is viewing Signup and view all the answers

What is the ultimate goal of the lineup structure?

To achieve neutral administration Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary goal when evaluating leads?

To prioritize the lead for follow-up based on its value and content Signup and view all the answers

What type of lead is typically considered high-priority?

Leads that identify a suspect, such as latent fingerprint identification and DNA Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to re-canvass the area surrounding the incident or crime scene?

To make contact with persons at homes or businesses where there was no response during the initial canvass Signup and view all the answers

What is a field contact?

Any person you have contact with while on patrol Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to evaluate field contact information carefully?

Because field contacts may have an agenda and provide inaccurate information Signup and view all the answers

What can be a benefit of re-canvassing the same homes or businesses?

It can provide additional information about a crime Signup and view all the answers

What is a common source of information in an investigation?

Field contacts developed through community policing Signup and view all the answers

What should you remember when interviewing medical personnel?

To follow HIPAA regulations Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the good-faith exception doctrine?

To allow evidence seized with a valid warrant to be admissible in court Signup and view all the answers

What type of communications are protected by privileged communication?

Communications between a sexual assault counselor and a sexual assault victim Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of a crime scene investigation?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What should you do when arriving at a crime scene?

Secure, protect, and manage the crime scene Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of the preliminary investigation?

Establishing whether a criminal act has been committed Signup and view all the answers

Why should you prioritize securing and protecting the crime scene?

To prevent evidence from being lost or destroyed Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of a crime scene investigator?

To secure, protect, and manage the crime scene to support successful prosecution of a crime Signup and view all the answers

What is the ultimate goal of a crime scene investigation?

To support successful prosecution of a crime Signup and view all the answers

When should you take immediate action to arrest a wanted person?

When you suspect them of committing a violent crime and they present an immediate danger to the public Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a showup?

To present a possible suspect to a witness for identification Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to separate victims or witnesses during a showup?

To ensure they don't see the potential suspect Signup and view all the answers

What should you do before conducting a showup?

Interview all victims or witnesses separately Signup and view all the answers

What type of support can assist in searching for a wanted person?

Agency resources such as canine, aerial support, SWAT, or a fugitive taskforce Signup and view all the answers

What is the goal of a showup?

To identify a suspect Signup and view all the answers

Where should a showup typically occur?

Near the incident or crime scene Signup and view all the answers

Why should you use a showup in an immediate situation?

Because it allows for an immediate arrest Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of photographing a crime scene?

To allow people who were not present at the scene to visualize how it looked Signup and view all the answers

What is the sequence of crime scene photography?

Overall, midrange, and then close-up Signup and view all the answers

What is included in close-up shots of evidence?

A scale or identifier, such as a ruler or yardstick Signup and view all the answers

Why are photographs of the crime scene important?

To help victims and witnesses remember the incident Signup and view all the answers

What is the first step in documenting a crime scene?

Photographing the crime scene Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of an overall photograph of the crime scene?

To provide a general view of the entire crime scene Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of midrange photographs?

To show the relationship between evidence items Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of documenting the crime scene?

To allow people to visualize the crime scene Signup and view all the answers

What should the eyewitness be told during the lineup process?

They should not feel compelled to make an identification. Signup and view all the answers

What should be documented during the lineup process?

The entire lineup process, including non-verbal communications. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to preserve the entire photo array as evidence?

To ensure the integrity of the investigation. Signup and view all the answers

What should you do if you are scheduled to testify in court on a case that happened over six months ago?

Review the case files and prepare thoroughly. Signup and view all the answers

What is the goal of Lesson 1: Testimony?

To learn how to prepare for and give courtroom testimony. Signup and view all the answers

Why can testifying in court be a stressful experience?

Because everyone in the courtroom is looking at you and listening to what you have to say. Signup and view all the answers

What may happen during cross-examination?

The defense attorney may challenge your answers and present a situation where you may become flustered and make mistakes. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of carefully documenting the lineup process?

To ensure the integrity of the investigation and preserve evidence. Signup and view all the answers

What is the goal of a defense attorney's tactic of rapid-fire questioning?

To get the witness to provide inconsistent answers Signup and view all the answers

How should you respond to a defense attorney's mispronunciation of your name or title?

Correct them politely the first time, and ignore it if they persist Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a defense attorney's tactic of building rapport with the witness?

To get the witness to provide favorable answers Signup and view all the answers

What should you do when a defense attorney asks you multiple questions at once?

Ask the attorney to repeat the questions one at a time Signup and view all the answers

Why does a defense attorney try to lead you to say that you are an expert?

To create confusion about your role Signup and view all the answers

What should you focus on when responding to a defense attorney's questions?

The facts of the case Signup and view all the answers

Why does a defense attorney try to intimidate you?

To make you lose concentration Signup and view all the answers

What should you do when a defense attorney asks you a question that you are unsure about?

Ask the attorney to clarify the question Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Identifying Witnesses and Gathering Information

Ask victims, complainants, or witnesses to name potential witnesses of the incident.
Document the names, dates of birth, genders, races, addresses, and telephone numbers of all people involved.
Separate involved people to prevent them from coordinating their accounts of what happened.
Keep them in separate locations, ideally far enough apart so they cannot hear or see each other.

Determining the Value and Validity of Leads

Evaluate and document all leads to determine their value and prioritize them for follow-up based on content.
High-priority leads include latent fingerprint identification and DNA that identify a suspect.
Low-priority leads include anonymous tips with little detail, but they may still produce valuable information.

Field Contacts and Confidential Sources of Information

Field contacts are common sources of information, developed through community policing, and can assist in completing an investigation.
Evaluate field contact information carefully, considering who the contact is and their relationship to the victim or suspect.

Developing a Photo Array

A photo array should include filler photographs of people other than the suspect, with physical characteristics similar to those of the suspect.
Each photograph in the array should be of a different person, formatted alike.

Conducting a Lineup

The lineup administrator should be independent of the investigation and unaware of which person in the lineup is the suspect.
The lineup administrator should conduct the lineup and provide instructions to the victim or witness.
Use accepted procedures for conducting a photo lineup, such as an automated computer program or randomly numbered, shuffled folders.

Preparing for a Pretrial Meeting

Thoroughly review all available case documentation before a pretrial meeting.
Discuss the case with appropriate agency personnel, such as supervisors, watch commanders, or crime scene and evidence personnel.
Be prepared to discuss who, what, when, where, how, and why facts of the case, all evidence, and any other relevant information.

Responding to Objectionable Questions

If the judge sustains an objection, do not answer the question.
If the judge overrules the objection, answer the question truthfully.
Be aware of types of objectionable questions, such as those that call for a conclusion or are irrelevant to the case.

Cross-Examination Tactics

Be aware of defense attorney tactics to discredit, misrepresent, or confuse you during a criminal trial.
Use techniques to overcome these tactics, such as conveying professionalism, knowledge, and confidence, and giving firm, decisive answers.

Crime Scene Investigation

The good-faith exception doctrine allows evidence to be admitted in court even if the search warrant is later found to have a legal error, as long as the officer executing the warrant believed it was valid.
Privileged communications are protected from disclosure, including those between a sexual assault counselor and victim, or a domestic violence advocate and victim.

Securing and Protecting the Crime Scene

The purpose of an investigation is to determine what happened, identify and locate the suspect, and develop evidence to establish probable cause for an arrest.
The preliminary investigation focuses on establishing whether a criminal act has been committed and what type, when, and where it was committed.

Documenting the Crime Scene

Photographing the crime scene is the first step in documenting, and it allows people who were not present to gather information and visualize the scene.
The photography process moves from general to specific, starting with overall shots, then midrange shots, and finally close-up shots with a scale or identifier.

Conducting a Showup, Photographic Array, and Photo Lineup

A showup is the presentation of a possible suspect to a witness for identification, and it occurs during or soon after the incident, near the crime scene.
A showup is used in immediate situations, such as battery or robbery by sudden snatching, and can lead to an immediate arrest.
Before conducting a showup, interview all victims or witnesses separately to obtain a description of the suspect.
Use a showup in a controlled environment, such as separate patrol vehicles, to avoid the potential suspect from being able to see the victim or witness.

Lineup Procedures

Eyewitness instructions:
- The perpetrator might or might not be in the lineup.
- The lineup administrator does not know the suspect's identity.
- The witness should not feel compelled to make an identification.
- It is as important to exclude innocent persons as it is to identify the perpetrator.
- The investigation will continue with or without the witness's identification.
Carefully document or record any comments made by the witness during the lineup process.
Note any non-verbal communication or action of the witness in the investigative file.
If the witness makes an identification, document the precise photograph selected.

Preparing for Court

Testifying in court can be a stressful experience, and it is essential to prepare for it.
When testifying, remember to:
- Pause and stay calm in response to challenging questions.
- Ask the attorney to repeat questions one at a time and take time to consider each question.
- Speak deliberately and remain calm.
- Stay alert and control your ego to avoid being led into giving inconsistent answers.
- Focus on the facts of the case and avoid being distracted by the attorney's statements or questions.
- Politely correct the attorney if they mispronounce your name, title, or rank.

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Description

Learn about the procedures and methods used in criminal investigations, including identifying witnesses and gathering information, and determining the value and validity of leads.